The explosion in technology has completely transformed our world. We've become a "digital village" and we can connect to almost anyone day or night, rain or shine.

Once upon a time, when we left the office, the factory or the firm at the end of the day, we left our work behind. Our homes didn't contain computers, high-speed Internet connections or fax machines. Being home meant being disengaged from the demands of the work world. We had leisure time to connect with our family and friends. We had the luxury of time to relax, read and reflect.

The walls of our homes no longer protect us, however. Because we're always "connected," we never really leave work behind. We're now impaled by "weisure" — being on the clock even on our leisure time. Even a paralyzing snow storm, such as the East Coast recently encountered, doesn't close the virtual office. So much for enjoying a "snow day" from work or school.

The expectation that we be available 24/7 can be soul-crushing. We all know the statistics about how overwork can negatively affect our physical and mental health.

So what can we do? The answer is really very simple: We're individuals who can make choices and, at some point, we have to say "enough is enough." We have to carve out time to simply chill and recharge our batteries. Only then can we go back into the arena with energy, focus and commitment.

I totally agree with this technology stuff, the other mth I was playing a board game with my 21year old nephew &amp; he wasn't even concentrating, he was just texting &amp; sending emails 2 his friend &amp; photos of his lunch, my brothers came the other day 2 have a chat &amp; their cellphones were gng off all the time, I thought it was so rude, I love my cellphone 2, but I have made myself only check emails 3 times a day, &amp; that's it, I was a lot better before we had them, we lived without them before &amp; survived

Miranda

October 21, 2013 4:56 p.m.

We have a choice! I have chosen to spend my time, effort, energy, and enthusiasm with the people I love the most, doing the things I enjoy the most, and respectfully saying &quot;No, thank you&quot;.
I may lose a job. I may lose my boss' respect or admiration ... so what?
I will NEVER lose myself!

Michael

July 18, 2012 8:40 a.m.

Technology has caused huge stress in my live! Even with my phones - mobile and land set to silent - my boss calls me on my days off. Last week, my boss started calling me at 0615 am, leaving messages, and it went on all day. I got into trouble for not responding.

Sam

May 16, 2012 9:02 a.m.

I have to agree with this. I think it is crazy the way we stay connected 24/7 to everything and can never actually get away from it all. I know at times I will just turn my phone to silent because I do not want to be able to be reached all of the time. I think that is sad that our society has come to the point where a vacation is a &quot;working vacation.&quot;

Racheal

May 16, 2012 8:23 a.m.

While always being connected to work or &quot;the office&quot; is a concept that will most likely never go away and may only get worse as technology advances, the degree to which someone is always on the clock is going to be affected by the industry they choose to enter. Certain types of consulting and any investment banking is going to lead to constant connection to the office and it is simply the nature of the business.

Adam

May 15, 2012 9:59 p.m.

Being available 24/7 can be very soul-crushing. Always being connected with either work or school doesn't give you time for yourself which can cause you a great deal of stress. Always being connected with work is now essential because you have to put in all of your time and effort or you risk losing your job or falling behind in school. Now a days it is had to get away from the every day hectic life and to truly take time for yourself with out experience a negative consequence.

Miranda

May 15, 2012 8:36 p.m.

I agree that in the past we had the luxury of time and now we are &quot;on duty&quot; 24/7. It is a sad reality of today's society that in order to be successful, contributing members we must give ALL of our time and energy to work or school. However that is a hard fact to change. If people do say &quot;enough is enough&quot; they risk disappointing bosses or professors, failing classes, or being fired from their job. It is not easy to truly step away and take leisure time for rest and relaxation without worrying about the consequences.

Lauren

May 15, 2012 8:33 p.m.

This article brings up a very good term, &quot;weisure&quot;. This is something that is becoming increasingly present in all types of workforce. No matter if you are a doctor, manager, student, or factory worker the case us the same; we all take our work home with us. Our leisure time is rapidly decreasing while stress levels continue to increase, and while there are multiple other contributing factors, taking work home is showing a negative impact on leisure time that should be time spent with family and relaxing and unwinding from our hectic work days.

Alecia

May 15, 2012 7:39 p.m.

I completely agree! It is ridiculous that we are constantly expected to be reachable every second of the day. I plan weddings and special events for clients in the Bloomington area. I am very busy on the weekends and I take lots of classes during the week. My boss always expects me to always answer e-mails no matter the time of day. I hate it!

Lorna

May 15, 2012 3:37 p.m.

I know that taking your work home with you has become very common place. I have heard of many people who go on family vacations to Florida and will take their laptop with them to keep constantly connected to their email and work. They are afraid that their absence will cause more issues at work that they will have to deal with when they get back. So while this keeps up a level of stress even while on vacation, it also prevents an increased amount of stress in the future.

Mary

May 15, 2012 3:36 p.m.

I agree with this article, and honestly I think it's a shame that we are so entwined in our work lives and responsibilities that many of us don't get a break or even sometimes time to just catch up. I think that employers might be pleasantly surprised at the increase in work ethic and quality that may be exerted if employees simply just get sometime to rest and be stress free of their work responsibilities and environment.

Haley

May 15, 2012 2:16 p.m.

I can see both sides from the arguments that can be made from the blog. Last year, I went without my phone for over a week and it was a very relaxing and stress free time so I can see the benefits. I also feel less stressed when I am in the loop with things and know exactly what is going on. If I feel disconnected it can lead to stress.

Dan

May 15, 2012 1:01 p.m.

This blog could not be more true for my own life. Last summer I had an internship but had my work email set up to my phone and found myself coming home after work and responding to emails that I didn't have time to during the day. Also, my supervisor would text message me about work related activities and I felt like I always had to be available. Home did not feel relaxing because I felt like I was always on call. I never felt relaxed.

Kaitlin

May 15, 2012 11:42 a.m.

The article clearly defined how technology comes with a lot of stress. It is difficult to not constantly check your e-mails and text messages when you get home from school/work. It has become an interruption to our leisure time, family time, and lifestyle. Technology is extremely helpful but it often becomes an issue because it is readily available and causes problems when it gets in the way of other priorities.

Jessica

May 15, 2012 8:50 a.m.

Technology is one of the biggest creators of stress in today's world. The job doesn't stop when you come home thanks to things like email and cell phones. Overall stress is such a factor of American life that we hardly even notice that is such a big part of our lives

Charles

May 14, 2012 10:36 p.m.

I completely agree with this what this article has to say. I can say that I had a big issue with being too connected to work because up until recently, I received email notifications to my cell phone. Now that I have disabled this application, I feel significantly more relaxed about the amount of work I have to do and when I have to do it. I would like to introduce some sort of mandatory shut off from the world time into my daily schedule.

jocelyn

May 14, 2012 9:56 p.m.

I agree with this article. The territorial separation between &quot;workplace&quot; and &quot;home&quot; has been blurred. The many technological changes have rendered many work-place habits and rituals meaningless. However, we cannot ignore the rise of a new social phenomenon known as workaholism. Professionals today are capable of putting in an 80 hour week resulting in the disruption to family life and increase in stress level. When they get back from work, they are usually too exhausted to make any effort for any form of leisure activities. Leisure is essential for psychological relief and development of the holistic needs of the individuals. Hence we should take time off away from “work” – facebook, cellphone and emails – for leisure.

Yvonne

May 14, 2012 5:12 p.m.

I agree with this article because society expects us to be readily- available for anything that calls upon us. However, I know from my perspective that I cannot always be on my phone. I get over texting or talking to people on my phone. I need breaks just like other people do. Business occupations and medical occupations are the occupations that require the most amount of readiness. They are usually the ones who cannot let go of their phones because they have to have them for work. The work industry is so worried about what they are going to miss and how much over time they can get from being on call, they miss out on the leisure time with their friends and family.

Cassie

May 23, 2011 9:54 a.m.

I agree with this article to a degree. Although society today expects everyone to be technilogically savy, that does not have to be the case. I feel that it is ones choice whether they are still &quot;connected&quot; when they leave school or work. A cell phone, computer, ipad, e-mail all have a log-out or shut-down, power off option. It might cause you to be distant, but isn't that how you get to the point of relaxation?

Kayley

May 23, 2011 9:53 a.m.

I can understand where this article is coming from, but I'm going to have to disagree with it. I feel that being able to stay connected even after I leave the classroom or work actually reduces my stress from it. I feel like having my own computer and smartphone and all this technology actually helps with getting the work done on my own time, and allows for a more flexible schedule so that I can still be involved with my leisure activites. Since the organizations I'm involved in usually meet in the early evening, I can still attend all those and finish whatever I need to do for school later at night. However, this article is geared more toward 9-5 office jobs, something I've never experienced, so it could be an entirely different ballgame.

Justina

May 23, 2011 9:52 a.m.

I don't think that anyone can contest this article. I do feel however, that we also have to take into consideration how much more money is on the line. Yes, we didn't have the internet or smart phones allowing us to work but careers also weren't paying as much as they are now. Do you want to take that lavish vacation? If the answer is 'yes' then maybe bringing your work home with you is necessary.

Abigail S.

May 23, 2011 1:36 a.m.

I agree with this article as well, we do need to have that separation between the work place and our personal lives. It generally causes at least some stress in ones life if they try to combine the two. I do however feel that people can still today, despite how &quot;connected&quot; we are, have that separation between the two. It comes down in my opinion, solely based upon self control. Do you have the control to separate the two or not? Can you keep your devices shut off when you are with family? It's the little things like this that people can do to eliminate some of that unwanted stress in their day to day lives.

Evan

May 23, 2011 12:30 a.m.

I agree with this article. While technology has played a large role especially in the work force, making it nearly impossible to &quot;shut off from work&quot;, it has also helped reduce stress as well by making communication easier and faster. On the other hand, I too believe that you just have to have some self control and remove your self from your work, including technology.

Rachel

May 22, 2011 11:56 p.m.

I agree with Dr. Creagan and the other comments. But I believe that we are expected to be constantly available because we expect everyone else to be available whenever we want. Our society expects to have whatever they want when they want it, so if we want this we also are drawn into this immediate gratification. Regardless, the constant demands of a never-ending job can be exhausting.

Betsy

May 22, 2011 11:36 p.m.

I can understand how the not having the disconnect can cause extra stress for some people, however there is a side of this that seems to remain unexamined. There are reasons we are allowed a shorter work week and I believe this is a major contributing factor. You can look at it now as either you are experiencing &quot;weisure&quot; or you can look at in a way that you would still be working during the times you spend at home being connected to work. I agree that at some point there needs to be a separation from work and leisure, but one major thing we need to consider is this connection to between work and leisure has not only allowed us to work less days per week, but also less hours. Yes, it may cause some undue stress at really inopportune times, but would you rather be at work until 8 p.m. every weekday or on saturdays, NO. I believe partly on the contrary that working this way with a connection between work and leisure it allows us to have more focus and commitment towards our work. I can see good in this article, however there is a lot more to consider than just saying &quot;bringing home your work is stressful and bad&quot;.

kevin

May 22, 2011 11:28 p.m.

For the work environment now and in the future, technology is what drives companies, and has made them more successful and efficient. There will be no going back, only moving forward with technology. Unfortunately, the more technology brings, the less leisure time there is for an individual. And the government could only do so much to keep to reduce the amount of stress technology brings, but it is also how the government runs things.

Ryan

May 22, 2011 11:06 p.m.

I also agree with this article. As I grew my mother was off work and getting phone calls from here job and would have to go in and check something out or calm down a patient. We never really got to do some of the things that she wanted to do like spend family time. Technology has been a great big factor in cutting in on our leisure time. I also think that if we don't say enough is enough than it would get worse then it already is and people will start being more stressed then they already are.

Donnell

May 22, 2011 11:02 p.m.

I agree! In high school we were only given assignments in class but in college we are given assignment whenever its convenient for the instructor. I work and go to school and I would like my off time to be my off time, but as long as there is an internet connection we should expect no down time, even in our sleep!

Jerrica

May 22, 2011 10:29 p.m.

I strongly agree with this article. I feel that technology is one way or another has taken over the world. With that it has put so much stress on certain people. One example I thought of right after I read this article was that I remember a time when one of my friends mentioned that she was stressed out because she hadn’t checked twitter that day and that it was going to take her to long to catch up.

George

May 22, 2011 10:05 p.m.

It never really dawned on me that we are expected to be ready to work or go to school 24/7. It has its benefits but it also has a lot of negative aspects on our health. Making time every other day to take a hour or so without technology is the only real way to calm down and be able to carry on the same.

renee

May 22, 2011 9:45 p.m.

Yeah I agree with this article about how we are always connected. I think that it is a good and bad thing though; it's good that we are always connected because if we need to get work done on the go we can, and its bad because we never have any time to relax and not worry about getting a phone call or email.

Alex

May 22, 2011 9:22 p.m.

I completely agree with this article. Ive seen this directly affecting members of my family. Their work comes home with them after regular business hours and you can see the stress somtimes. The simple solution is that you have to control how much you work. You can shut off your blackberry and not check your email. This is realistcally the best solution to this problem.

Merrill

May 22, 2011 6:19 p.m.

Wow. This article is very interesting, considering that it is so true. Years ago, technology wasn't here. I think I wold give anything to live that world. It seems as though things weren't as stressful, and there was leisure time for activities, personal time, and family orientations. Now days, it seems as though we don't think about the little things in life anymore. Everyone seems overwhelmed with stress from work, school, and sometimes personal issues caused by work and school. There needs to be time where people take leisure time to do whatever they want and have freedom. I feel that it is necessary to not stay engaged in work off work hours. It always seems like everyone has done and does do work off time, which means they may or may not be getting paid for this. I know I do not get paid for the work I do on off hours. Therefore, it is a good opportunity that people need to take more time outside of work and recharge their batteries to be energized for the next day to follow.

Abbie

May 22, 2011 1:06 p.m.

I agree with the article, but while we are always connected to the office you can still take time to yourself by shutting off your phone, computer, or pda. This would reduce your stress and give you the time you need to relax.

Kara

March 3, 2011 5:27 p.m.

Being successful is more important than being a good parent or spouse.
Things cost money. Staying at home doesn’t buy things. Going out there and making as much money as possible is the best thing to do. Everyone wants to live the good life. But the good life costs. So what if you can’t make it to the softball game or the ballet recital! If you are bringing home big bucks, you are doing more for your family than any amount of time will.
How can a kid be cool if mom or dad only works 40 hours a week but brings home diddley squat? I would rather work a ton of hours and make a ton of money than come home at the same time and sit in the house with a nagging wife and bratty children. A family has to understand that having things is more important than being together. Working less is not an option!

Yadgyu

January 26, 2011 1:40 a.m.

I do agree with the article. i happen to stay at the workplace but more often find my self with no time with my family yet we are just one year old in marriage. until recently i learnt to say enough is enough. I see a change in my life and my family. I encourage others to always spare time to recharge and have fun with their families wherever possible.

Senkasi

December 3, 2010 1:50 p.m.

This is true to the T! I am going through this right now. At 30, I've done my fair share of working hard to climb the corporate ladder, and this is where I draw the line. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! If this does not change, then I'm leaving. It's not changing, I'm making a choice...for me, my life...I'm LEAVING!

jules

May 25, 2010 9:35 a.m.

I agree with the article, constantly being connected causes so much added stress. Occasionally I like to leave my computer, turn my phone on silent and just sit outside. I always feel recharged and less stressed after doing so.

kim

May 25, 2010 5:58 a.m.

It seems to be the Western culture to be working 24/7 and with all the new electronic toys available it seems to be implied that we need to keep up the current trends and purchase these items and make them part of our lives. I personally like to disconnect once I get home, I rarely answer the phone I let the machine get it (i like that invention). Humans need to have time away from the chaos so they can recharge.

robin

May 24, 2010 11:35 p.m.

I can relate to this article. I have learned to sleep with my phone on silent. I used to get calls on my day off, asking me to come in, in the early mornings. Now I do not have to deal with the calls, seeing as I get to sleep in without disturbance.

kate

May 24, 2010 8:19 p.m.

Technology can definitely be a good thing, but it hurts us at the same time. When I get back to my apartment, I would really like to relax and kick it on my porch, but I always end up working on my computer, or watch TV with my roommates. You can't avoid technology, and society is obviously paying the price for it. Technology is only getting faster/better, so when does it end? Will we ever hit a wall or go back to the way things were?

Will

May 24, 2010 8:13 p.m.

I got my first cell phone last autumn. I was apprehensive about the purchase and not too happy about the fact so many of my peers can no longer have a real conversation because of phones. People can text all day long, but they cannot carry a good conversation anymore! Technology makes us available all the time! I never realized how annoying and stressful it becomes. I have begun turning off my phone on a regular basis or leaving it at home in order to combat the addiction! I am certainly not immune. People have allowed technology to become a leviathan that seems to be unstoppable now. We can all fight the constant connection to the digital village by disconnecting! Take a walk, turn off your phone, give up facebook for a week!

Rachel

May 24, 2010 5:47 p.m.

I think that this article is completely right. People are willing to do anything they can to get ahead of the game even it means that they have to do some work at home as well as the office. It is a persons own personal decision to make, but if you don't keep up with everyone else then you will get passed up in watever field you are in. Money makes the world go round so people do watever it takes to get that nice paycheck even if it means they give up some of their leisure time. Life is full of sacrifices.

Josh

May 24, 2010 5:22 p.m.

This article is extremely true. The modern world has become completely reliant on technology. People no longer spend as much time with family without technologies help. Work and leisure has become blurred into one instead of two separate concepts. This needs to be changed or stress will become a common factor in everyone's life, if it hasn't already.

Abbey

May 24, 2010 3:29 p.m.

I totally agree with this article. Life seemed so simple and more stress-free. Now we can't get off our cell phones or be away from the computer. Although we live in a world where it is based around those things to get ahead, it is up to the individual to decide which is more important. Stress or success?

Morgan

May 24, 2010 2:38 p.m.

The world we live in today is one where we have to do that extra if we want to get ahead in life. Yes it is stressful, but it is almost expected of us now to be a society of &quot;weisure&quot;. So until EVERYONE agrees to not work after hours, we all will just have to deal with the stress or get ran over by someone else getting ahead.

Michelle

May 24, 2010 2:27 p.m.

I could not agree more with this article. It it a bittersweet thing that we have with technology today. As Americans we are constantly being pushed to put in more hours and work longer. What we don't realize when we are putting in these hours is the long term health problems that we are potentially creating by
&quot;burning the candle at both ends&quot; so to speak.

Victoria

April 2, 2010 6:22 a.m.

I agree completely with your last bit. As I transitioned into college I became very over-stressed and now that I've come along farther I know how to handle my composure and control my stress levels.

Josh

April 1, 2010 6:21 a.m.

I agree, the answer does begin with us. Unlike most things , there's no magic potion or switch we can press to turn off the stress in our life. We have to tell ourselves to make the choice to recharge our batteries.

Gregory

April 1, 2010 12:16 a.m.

Kind of a catch 22 though isn't it? I can't get away from my virtual world! I should blog about it!!

Rick

March 26, 2010 7:24 p.m.

You're comment that hit a nerve with me: &quot;the expectation that we'll be available 24/7 can be soulcrushing.&quot; My husband and I have recently been re-evaluating our relationship and lives because this is exactly what has happened to us. We're having to back our way out of this expectation from ourselves and others slowly and carefully, but already we feel more relaxed and hopeful, more rested.

Chel

March 24, 2010 7:22 a.m.

I love your blog!
thanks!

Jan

February 25, 2010 2:31 p.m.

It's been a week since I did my last post. I've been on vitamin and mineral therapy in addition to adrenal support therapy for about two months now, with phenomenal results in overcoming sleep disorder and depression.

Barbara A

February 25, 2010 12:32 p.m.

Thanks. I like your way with words (&quot;impaled by weisure&quot;) and appreciate the reminder to view work-life balance as a necessity for good health.

wordbin

February 19, 2010 7:08 p.m.

Oh my goodness, can I relate.I've recently cut out one nursing home job and am about to cut another due to work overload. I went into adrenal exhaustion, which can cause deep depression and sleep loss. Fortunately, I've had excellent medical and alternative help in overcoming this.

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